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Ole Miss junior wide receiver Donte Moncrief declares for NFL draft

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Ole Miss' Donte Moncrief had six receptions for 113 yards and a touchdown in the Rebels' 25-17 victory over Georgia Tech in last week's Music City Bowl. The junior wide receiver announced Saturday he will enter the NFL draft. (Bobby McDuffie/GulfLive.com)

"I have had an awesome experience at Ole Miss and plan to support Rebel Nation until I die." --- Donte Moncrief

Ole
Miss wide receiver Donte Moncrief has elected to forgo his senior season and
enter the NFL draft, the school announced Saturday night.

Moncrief,
a junior from Raleigh, finishes third in Rebels history with 156 receptions,
2,371 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns in his three-year career. He totaled 59
catches for 938 yards and six TDs in 2013, including six receptions for 113
yards and a score in Ole Miss' 25-17 victory over Georgia Tech in last week's
Music City Bowl.

"After
meeting with coach (Hugh) Freeze and looking at all available information, my
family and I have decided that I will declare for the draft," Moncrief said. "I
appreciate all the support I have received over the last three years from the
fans, my coaches and teammates.

"I have had an awesome experience at Ole Miss and
plan to support Rebel Nation until I die. At this time, I have to do what is
best for my family and I, and I am ready to pursue my dream of playing in the
NFL."

Moncrief
(6-foot-3, 226 pounds) is rated the No. 7 wide receiver and the No. 43 overall
player for the NFL draft by ESPN Scouts Inc. CBSSports.com projects him as a
second-round pick.

Moncrief
was an All-SEC selection as a sophomore in 2012, when he totaled 66 receptions
for 979 yards and 10 touchdowns. He had 173 yards and three touchdowns in the Rebels'
41-24 victory over Mississippi State that year.

"I
appreciate Donte's hard work, commitment and leadership for our program," Freeze
said. "His outstanding play the last two seasons has been a big reason for the
turnaround we have experienced and the two straight bowl victories. He is close
to graduation, and I hope he reaches that goal.

"While
we had hoped he might stay another year, we are excited about his future, and
we look forward to seeing another Rebel shine on Sundays."

Ole Miss safety Cody Prewitt, a first-team All-America pick this past season, is also said to be considering turning pro. The
deadline for underclassmen to enter the draft is Jan. 15.